Safety lamp



Aug. 8, 1939. W GARUNGTON 2,168,671

SAFETY LAIP Filed Aug. 2, 1937 INVENTOR.

William M. Eaflflftun BY gal/1"? ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 3, 1939 2,168,671

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,103,071 sm'nr 11am William M. Gsrllnmn, Kansas City, Kane.

Application August 2, 1931, Serial No. 151,010

'1 Claims. (01. 40-130) This invention relates to safety lamps and Figure 1 is an elevation of the novel safety more particularly to portable electric safety lamps lamp mounted upon an implement. for switch cleaners and the like. Figure 2 is a vertical section of the novel safety In the maintenance of open switches, for inlamp so mounted. stance, during winter weather, traction com- Figure 3 is a top plan of the lamp, parts being 5 panies employ switch cleaners whose duty it is broken away to better illustrate portions of the to keep the switches from freezing and ice from construction. accumulating upon and between the frogs. These Figures 4 and 5 are sections substantially upon switch cleaners usually protect themselves against their respective lines of Figure 2.

traffic hazards at night by employing red lanterns Figure 6 is a plan view of an element forming 10 which they place at convenient locations nearby, a portion of the novel lamp construction.

as a warning of their presence to passing traf- Figure 7 is a plan view of another element fic. However, due to the fact that in congested forming a portion of the novel lamp structure. traflic such lanterns are difficult to see and be- In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of iicause it is often impossible to find a suitable place lustration is shown a preferred embodiment of 15 in which to deposit the lanterns and, usually, they the invention and wherein similar reference charare placed on the street surface so that the light acters designate corresponding parts throughout is but a few inches above the street surface, and the several views, the letter A may designate the may be obscured by snow, such lanterns have novel lamp, including the light ray producing been found very inadequate. means B, clamping means C therefor, auxiliary 20 The primary object of the invention is to proswitch means D for the light ray producing means vide a safety lamp which may be readily mounted B, a transparency E and clamping means F for upon a suitable implement, such as upon the the transparency. The letter G may designate handle of a broom, shovel, switch lever or the asuitabie handled implement, with which the like, used by switch and track cleaners, switchnovel lamp A may be associated. 25 men and others, so that the light therefrom may The light ray producing means B, shown by be easily observed by passing motorists, motorway of illustration, is a conventional flashlight men, truck drivers and others. and the safety which may include a substantially cylindrical factor of the user of the implement will be inhousing I ll having a length sufllcient to accomcreased. modate one or more conventional dry cells ll 30 It is well recognized that a moving light atwithin its compartment I2. The housing l0 cartracts much more attention than a stationary ries a light ray emitter, such as a conventional one, so an important object of the invention is electric light i3, which may be disposed at one to provide a safety lamp which is adapted to end I of the housing i0, so that as the electric be mounted, preferably upon the upper end of a circuit is completed by manipulation of the spring 35 suitable implement, so that the user of the imretracted switch means I5, which is shown by plement, such as a switch cleaners broom, as he way of example at the other end or bottom ii of manipulates the same will cause the light to move the housing Ill, the light IE will emit light rays about and the light will generally be positioned which will be projected outwardly of the housing.

at a location well above the street surface, where The switch means i5 is shown to include a headed 40 it will be readily observed. member I6 which is slidable longitudinally of Another object is to provide a safety lamp the housing and extends outwardly thereof, terwhich is easily but securely mounted upon a suitminating in a head Il. Preferably adjacent the able implement and takes up but a small space end IS, the housing Ill is perforated by a screw so that it will not interfere with the manipulathreaded perforation l8 for the purpose next de- 45 tion of the implement. scribed.

Still another object is to provide a safety As a suitable means C for clamping the means lamp, in conjunction with an implement, which B to a handle, there may be provided a band or will permit the user of the implement to employ strap 20, shown particularly in Figure 7, of suitboth of his hands in manipulating the implement. able springy material. This band is provided, 50

Other objects and advantages of the invention intermediate its ends 2|, with a perforation 22 will be apparent during the course of the followand, adjacent its ends II, with a pair of pering detailed description, taken in connection forations 23. Through the perforation 22 may with the accompanying drawing, forming a part extend the screw threaded shank of a suitable of this specification and in which drawing: headed member, such as the adjustment screw 55 24. which shank is also adapted to extend through the perforation i8 and cooperate with the screw threads thereof. When this band is bent to the shape shown particularly in Figure 5, it will extend about a portion of the housing II and about a portion of the handle of the handled implement F, and the free ends ii of the band II may be drawn towards each other, by means of a suitable bolt extending through the perforations 23, and a cooperating nut 28, whereby the means B may be secured, but detachably secured, to the handle.

The auxiliary switch means D may be employed when it would be difficult to keep an electric circuit closed through the means B without manually keeping the switch means I! closed, as by pressing upon the head I! with the thumb or finger. Some small flashlights, particularly so-called pencil flashlight, are not equipped with a switch which. when closed, will remain closed until manually released and, in the event such a type of switch is employed, the means D may be incorporated in the novel safety lamp construction. This means 1) preferably comprises a length ill of suitable material, shown particularly in Figure 6, provided with a screw threaded perioration 3| adjacent one end 32 and a longitudinally extending slot 33 spaced from the perforation 3| and extending towards the opposite end 84. The end 12 may be bent to form a right angle with the remaining portion 35 of the length It so that the perforation 8| will substantially align axially with the head i1. Extending through the perforation 3! may be the shank of a suitable set screw 36, with its end in contact with the head H. The shank of the adjustment screw 24 may extend through the slot 33 with the portion 85 in face-to-face contact with the band where the latter extends over the housing "I. This permits adjustment of the length so that the set screw 36 may just contact the head H in one position but when given a turn or partial turn will force the headed member l6 inwardly of the housing l6 and thus close the circuit and the circuit will remain closed until the set screw 36 is again turned to release the spring retracted headed member [8, as is now apparent. It is also apparent that the head of the adjustment screw 24 will contact the outer face of the portion 3! and will hold it in position but that adiustment of the length of the element 38, longitudinally of the housing l0. may be had by loosening the adjustment screw 24 so that its shank will move longitudinally of the slot.

The transparency E includes, preferably, a length of suitable material which may be formed into a cylinder ll. This material may be Celluloid and it may be colored red or any suitable color so that the light shining through may appear of the color of the Celluloid. Capping the cylinder I may be a closure II, which may comprise a disc 42, having a downtumed rim 0. The disc 42 is preferably provided with a central opening H to accommodate the handle of the handled implement G and may also be provided with one or more slots l5 extending from the central opening to allow heat to escape. This closure ll preferably has at least its inner or lower face suitably treated to provide a reflecting surface and the closure may be secured to the cylinder 4! in any approved way, such as bolt and nut means 45 extending through perforations in the rim 43 and though the cylinder 40. At the opposite end, the cylinder may be secured to a suitable support which can be said to form a portion of the clamp means F next described.

This means F is quite similar in shape to the conventional electric light globe holder adapted to extend about the open ends of conventional electric light sockets. Preferably included in the means i" is a rim portion provided with upstanding lugs ii containing perforations through which and through suitable perforations in the lower portion of the cylinder ll extend suitable securing means If, such as bolts and nuts. This rim portion 8| is supported, in turn, by a band portion 53 connected to the rim portion ill as by supports N. The band portion 3 is adapted to extend about the handle of the handled implement G and is preferably of spring metal and provided with a pair of spaced apart arms 55 which extend fromthe encircling portion 56 of the band and which arms parallel each other. Means for drawing the arms towards each other and tightening the encircling portion 58 about the handle of the handled implement G is provided and may comprise a bolt 51 with the shank thereof extending through aligning perforations in the arms 55, and a cooperating nut 58, as

shown particularly in Figure 4. It will be noted. particularly in this figure, that the arms I! may be drawn into a good holding contact with the outer face of the housing Ill and thus aid in supporting and steadying the housing II.

The handled implement G is shown as a conventional switch cleaners broom, having an elongated handle II, a broom proper I at one end and a spud 82 at the other end. However, it is apparent that the implement may take other forms, just so a suitable handle is provided upon which the novel lamp A may be properly secured so that the lighted lamp will attract attention. particularly as the operator moves the implement about while manipulating it in his work.

After adjusting the means D to function properly as has been explained, the housing may be clamped to the handle ill as is now apparent and as illustrated particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 5. The transparency E may now be adjusted to cooperate with the means B, by sliding it downwardly over the end 82 of the handle 60 until the end i4, carrying the light II. will be within the cylinder lll. As will be noted in Figure 2, the cylinder ll contacts the housing Ill and aids in retaining the latter in place, being reinforced by the rim portion 50 encircling the lower end of the cylinder in. By tightening the nut 58 upon the bolt 51, the transparency will be held in position and light rays, coming from the light ll, will be reflected from the reflecting surface of the disc 42 and pass through the transparency so that the light will shine from all sides. It has been discovered that the handle 60 does not interfere with the light rays sufficiently to render the illumination ineffective, but the light shines from all portions of the transparency.

The novel lamp A is not intended as a means for affording illumination for the operator, but is a safety lamp adapted, particularly when positioned as described, to notify or warn traffic of the presence of the operator and this warning is especially efl'ective because the light is generally moving about as the operator manipulates the implement of which it forms a part.

Various changes may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signal lamp attachment for implement handles, an annular transparency encircling the handle and providing an annular light chamber about the handle, means for securing the transparency concentrically of the handle, and means for illuminating said chamber.

2. A signal lamp for attachment to an implement handle, comprising a lamp casing axially receiving the handle therethru and embodying a cylindrical transparency providing an annular light chamber encircling the handle, means adjustably securing the lamp casing to the handle, and means for illuminating said chamber.

3. In a signal lamp for implement handles, a lamp casing embodying a cylindrical transparency, means securing the transparency concentrically of the handle and providing an annular light chamber about the handle, an electric light bulb for illuminating the chamber, a source of energy for the bulb including a housing, and means for securing the housing to the handle.

4. A signal lamp for implement handles, comprising a lamp casing including an annular wall of translucent material, a closure cap for one end of the annular wall having an axial handle receiving opening for centering the handle in the annular wall and providing an annular light chamber, and clamping means at the other end of the annular wall for securing the lamp casing to the handle, an electric light bulb for illuminating said chamber, a source of energy for the bulb including a housing, and means for securing the housing to the handle.

5. A signal lamp for implement handles, comprising a lamp casing including an annular wall of translucent material, a closure cap for one end of the annular wall having an axial handle receiving opening for centering the handle in the annular wall and providing an annular light chamber, and clamping means at the other end of the annular wall for securing the lamp casing to the handle, an electric flashlight including an elongated housing and a light bulb at one end of the housing, said end of the housing being secured to the handle by said clamping means with the light rays from the bulb projecting into said light chamber, and clamping means for securing the other end of the housing to said handle.

6. In a signal lamp for attachment to an implement handle, an electric flashlight including a housing and a light bulb at the forward end of the housing, clamping means at the rear end of the housing for securing the housing at one end to the handle, a cylindrical transparency encircling the handle and providing an annular light chamber, and clamping means jointly securing the transparency to the handle and the forward end of the flashlight housing to the handle with the light rays from the light bulb directed into said light chamber.

7. In a signal lamp for attachment to an implement handle, an electric flashlight including a housing and a light bulb at the forward end of the housing, clamping means for securing the housing at its rear end to the handle, a lamp casing including a cylindrical transparency encircling the handle and forming an annular light chamber, and means for securing the lamp casing to the handle with the forward end of the flashlight housing received in said light chamber, including a band encircling the handle and a pair of spaced apart clamping arms receiving the forward end of the housing therebetween, and means for contracting the arms for clamping the band about the handle and he arms upon said housing.

WILLIAM M. GARIJNGTON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,168, 671

August 8, 959.

WILLIAM H GARLINGTON It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 7, claim 5, for the word "projecting" read projected; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of September, A. D. 1939.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signal lamp attachment for implement handles, an annular transparency encircling the handle and providing an annular light chamber about the handle, means for securing the transparency concentrically of the handle, and means for illuminating said chamber.

2. A signal lamp for attachment to an implement handle, comprising a lamp casing axially receiving the handle therethru and embodying a cylindrical transparency providing an annular light chamber encircling the handle, means adjustably securing the lamp casing to the handle, and means for illuminating said chamber.

3. In a signal lamp for implement handles, a lamp casing embodying a cylindrical transparency, means securing the transparency concentrically of the handle and providing an annular light chamber about the handle, an electric light bulb for illuminating the chamber, a source of energy for the bulb including a housing, and means for securing the housing to the handle.

4. A signal lamp for implement handles, comprising a lamp casing including an annular wall of translucent material, a closure cap for one end of the annular wall having an axial handle receiving opening for centering the handle in the annular wall and providing an annular light chamber, and clamping means at the other end of the annular wall for securing the lamp casing to the handle, an electric light bulb for illuminating said chamber, a source of energy for the bulb including a housing, and means for securing the housing to the handle.

5. A signal lamp for implement handles, comprising a lamp casing including an annular wall of translucent material, a closure cap for one end of the annular wall having an axial handle receiving opening for centering the handle in the annular wall and providing an annular light chamber, and clamping means at the other end of the annular wall for securing the lamp casing to the handle, an electric flashlight including an elongated housing and a light bulb at one end of the housing, said end of the housing being secured to the handle by said clamping means with the light rays from the bulb projecting into said light chamber, and clamping means for securing the other end of the housing to said handle.

6. In a signal lamp for attachment to an implement handle, an electric flashlight including a housing and a light bulb at the forward end of the housing, clamping means at the rear end of the housing for securing the housing at one end to the handle, a cylindrical transparency encircling the handle and providing an annular light chamber, and clamping means jointly securing the transparency to the handle and the forward end of the flashlight housing to the handle with the light rays from the light bulb directed into said light chamber.

7. In a signal lamp for attachment to an implement handle, an electric flashlight including a housing and a light bulb at the forward end of the housing, clamping means for securing the housing at its rear end to the handle, a lamp casing including a cylindrical transparency encircling the handle and forming an annular light chamber, and means for securing the lamp casing to the handle with the forward end of the flashlight housing received in said light chamber, including a band encircling the handle and a pair of spaced apart clamping arms receiving the forward end of the housing therebetween, and means for contracting the arms for clamping the band about the handle and he arms upon said housing.

WILLIAM M. GARIJNGTON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,168, 671

August 8, 959.

WILLIAM H GARLINGTON It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 7, claim 5, for the word "projecting" read projected; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of September, A. D. 1939.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

